Long Rides and Nature Breaks

**TsPoet** · 11-19-2007, 07:19 AM

I know this has been covered, but I couldn't figure out what to search on!
I'm seriously thinking of riding the Sebring 12/24 hr race
http://www.bikesebring.org/
On some other forums, the guys are talking about routes for this race and where you can/cannot stop by the side of the road, and if you can/cannot in some places after dark.
There is one pitstop at the turnaround point for the 100 mile loop, but it's "busy" and another for the shorter loop, but the experienced guy's seem to be suggesting that should be avoided, too.
As a long time backpacker, I've got no problem with finding a bush out in the wild, but what about on the side of a road by and orchard, in the middle of a crowded race

I think I may order a freshette!
What do you randoneurs and/or ultra racers do?
(Watching Graham Norton last night, some female English marathon runner apparently stopped in the middle of a race to go "#2" and a photo of her doing that was posted all over the place!)

**Pedal Wench** · 11-19-2007, 07:59 AM

I'm doing Sebring again this year too! There is one official reststop on the 100 mile route, and lots of orange trees if you need more. The 12-mile loops take you right past restrooms on the race track. And, when we move onto the race track at night, there are another set of restrooms in the pit area (edit: where you pass by every 3 miles). That was the least of my problems at Sebring...

**TsPoet** · 11-19-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

I'm doing Sebring again this year too! That was the least of my problems at Sebring...

Thanks! Funny how the guys don't mention how easy it is, but rather roadsides that are good and bad. Goes to show the old addage about little boys and peeing

I'll be looking for you! I may pm you closer to the insanity. Do you have hotel reservations? I haven't quite managed to make that plunge yet.
Since you've been there before you probalby don't need this, but a friend on another forum posted a writup on Sebring that I think might be helpful to me.

http://www.bacchettabikes.com/forum2...=1&key=&#18541

**li10up** · 11-19-2007, 09:23 AM

Hey, if you gotta go you gotta go. Don't hold it...why? Because you could get uromycitisis poisoning and die - that's why.

(Anyone know what that's from?)

**Pedal Wench** · 11-19-2007, 10:23 AM

My incredibly long report from last year: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...hlight=sebring

My BF and I were just talking yesterday about what we need to do differently, and lights and food were our biggest mistakes, and hopefully, we'll get someone to help support us. Try have to stop and actually cook food for yourself in the middle of a 24-hour race is just plain stupid.

**partbug** · 11-19-2007, 02:44 PM

Hi I live in Sebring and belong to the local cycling club, Highland Pedalers. Our club usually helps at that event. Don't worry about bathroom breaks, there are plenty of places. As soon as it gets dark, you'll be inside the track and will go by bathrooms every thee miles.

Some of our cycling members here work this event and we have a big tent where we have a support team. This year we are supporting 3 riders so far including one young man, Ryan Corey from Calgary who is coming down again this year. We would be happy to extend our support to any of you who would like to take part in this event. We will have a bike mechanic on hand and lots of food and drink. If you are interested, pm me and we will make arrangements. For peace of mind, there is an excellent offical sag team provided.

**Geonz** · 11-19-2007, 03:58 PM

OH, dear... and I told somebody at a party that "if I had support, I would do one of those 24 hour things." Hmmm....

**TsPoet** · 11-20-2007, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by partbug

We will have a bike mechanic on hand and lots of food and drink. If you are interested, pm me and we will make arrangements. For peace of mind, there is an excellent offical sag team provided.

Wow, what an offer! I'll be flying in from Wa state, so my biggest concern is getting my bike put back together. I've got a roommate who is coming in from Oregon. We both ride Bacchetta recumbents, and I know there will be lots of other Bacchetta riders there. Since i'm a complete newbie, I was thinking of trying to be self-supported as much as possible, with maybe a container with clothing/lights and just some food that i could stop by and change/pick up as conditions change.
I will be getting in touch with you, though - the more people I have contact with, the better.

Originally Posted by Geonz

OH, dear... and I told somebody at a party that "if I had support, I would do one of those 24 hour things." Hmmm....

Sue! come, try it out, you only live once! Also, you could do the 12 hr instead of the 24, that's only 1/2 as insane!
The 12 hr is drafting (24 hr is your choice), so I'd love to find some one as slow as me. My goal was 165 miles, after doing the math, it's now 155 miles (~14 mph moving average and 30 minutes total off the bike). If we could get a 14-15 mph "paceline" going, we could support each other. I suspect I'll still "win" my age and bike class bracket, as I'll likely be the only one, so I can be totally friendly and helpful.
Sebring is one of the flatter events, if that is an incentive. Also, the support from the organizers is reported to be excellent, as Parbug's post might indicate.

**Pedal Wench** · 11-20-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by partbug

Hi I live in Sebring and belong to the local cycling club, Highland Pedalers. Our club usually helps at that event. Don't worry about bathroom breaks, there are plenty of places. As soon as it gets dark, you'll be inside the track and will go by bathrooms every thee miles.

Some of our cycling members here work this event and we have a big tent where we have a support team. This year we are supporting 3 riders so far including one young man, Ryan Corey from Calgary who is coming down again this year. We would be happy to extend our support to any of you who would like to take part in this event. We will have a bike mechanic on hand and lots of food and drink. If you are interested, pm me and we will make arrangements. For peace of mind, there is an excellent offical sag team provided.

I might take you up on this. We have a big group coming down, but it's gonna be hard to talk the ones doing the 12-hours to stick around all night and support me, after they've ridden all day. As it gets closer, I might take you up on the offer. I ended up not eating because I didn't want to take the time to prepare anything, and didn't have anything just ready to eat. I also didn't pre-mix bottles, so didn't want to waste time mixing more so ended up with just plain water instead of my Sustained/Gu2O mixture. Like I said, I made lots of mistakes. Couldn't even figure out how to recharge lights. So, yeah, help would be great!

**TsPoet** · 11-20-2007, 01:41 PM

I just found out that I can't make it! So,um nevermind.
I hopt the rest of you go and good luck to all!
Maybe I can shoot for 09

**partbug** · 11-20-2007, 02:53 PM

This is great. We are so looking forward to it and hope you can all come. Hopefully it will not be as cold this year. Last year, that was the coldest weather we have had in years. We had nice hot soup, hot chocolate, etc. We will have plenty of food and drinks as well as moral support. I will get with you the early part of January Sorry T.S. Poet can't make it. Think about next year.

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